Gun sight



July 11, 1944.

B. L. GORMAN GUN SIGHT Search R0 Filed April 2, 1942 Inventor 1 1;; 1k

BARTON L. GORMAN 3L5. iilZUMt l KNJAL lN'Sl HUMKNI 3.

Patented July 11, 1944 Seam UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in gun sights, having more particular reference to the so-called front or globe sight positioned on the muzzle of the gun barrel as is customary.

More specifically, the invention relates to a multiple-part sight construction characterized by a cylindrical hood, an insert positionable removably therein and a clamping bushing for said insert. In this connection, I am aware that this broad three-part combination is not new in the art.

In reducing to practice the distinguishing principles of the present invention, I have devised one feature which pertains to a so-called luminous insert or sight, this being visible in the dark to facilitate focusing the gunners vision or attention upon a predetermined object or target.

Another feature of the invention pertains to a luminous insert or sight characterized by an annulus, a concentric hub and radial elements or spokes joining the hub to the annulus, said elements being disposed in positions at 45 degree angles to the normal perpendicular, whereby to avoid obscuring the vision of the gunner peering through said sight.

More explicitly, the invention pertains to the provision of a longitudinal keyway in the shell or hooding cylinder, this serving to accommodate a key-forming detent or lug on the annulus of the insert to maintain the spoke-like elements in predetermined angular positions.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a con ventional gun showing the forward and rear sights positioned and constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the front sight which is the essence of the instant invention.

Figure 3 is a central longitudinal sectional view through the composite sight illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a cross-section on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a similar cross-section on the line 55 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a detail elevational view of the socalled insert or sight.

Referring tothe drawing by distinguishing reference characters and in Figure 1, the conventional gun is denoted by the reference character A, this having a regular or conventional stock B and a barrel C on whose muzzle portion the improved composite sight is mounted.

The latter part of the assemblage is characterized, as before indicated, by a cylindrical hood I having a dovetailed anchoring member 8 on the bottom thereof adapted to fit into a correspondingly shaped notch or keyway in the barrel of the gun as shown. At one end this cylinder is internally screw threaded to accommodate screw threads on a clamping bushing 9, the latter having a knurled finger grip I0 to facilitate applicaton and removal thereof. The inner end of the bushing is adapted to press the insert ll against a binding shoulder formed on the intermediate portion of the hooding cylinder. As shown to advantage in Figure 6, the insert is an extremely light weight sheet metal stamping characterized by a ring-like annulus 12, a concentric focal hub l3 forming a peep sight and radial adjoining spokes l4. At a predetermined point on the ring is an outwardly projecting lug l5 which constitutes a detent or key. This is adapted to fit slidably in a longitudinal groove or keyway formed in the normal bottom portion of the cylinder 1, as brought out to advantage in Figures 4 and 5.

As illustrated in the drawing, the unitor insert H is bound removably between the internal abutment shoulder on the cylinder 1 and the adjacent clamping edge of the plug-like bushing. The knurled portion is to one end of the cylinder 1 to facilitate convenient use. In practice the insert is coated with luminous paint or an equivalent preparation, whereby to render it visible in darkness. Thus, one phase of the invention pertains to an insertible and removable sight conveniently applicable and removable and capable of facilitating vision of the gunner in darkness.

Then too, as mentioned before, an important phase of the invention pertains to the detent l5 fitting slidably and removably in the keyway or groove in the shell 1, whereby to definitely position the spokes l4 so that they assume positions diagonal to the normal perpendicular. Ordinarily, these spokes are directly vertical and horizontal. It has been found that by placing them at this 45 degree angle it is easier to inspect and fire at the target or object because of the fact that the four quarters thus formed provide windows vertically and horizontally of the peep sight, giving an unobstructed view of the target up and down as well as sideways.

Incidentally, I have shown a rear or inner sight on the stock, this being denoted by the numeral I6 and having an adjustable body I! hingedly mounted, as at l8, the sight proper being denoted by the numeral I9. In practice it is also convenient to paint a luminous ring around the sight 19 on the side facing the observer, this to facilitate so-called night shooting.

In some instances I have found it desirable to incorporate a further adjunct in the so-called sight. Although this feature is not absolutely essential, it is preferable, in certain instances, to adopt and utilize a small triangular lug 20. This is formed integral with the inner peripheral edge of the annulus. It is at what may be designated the normal top of the sight, that is, diametrically opposite to the keying lug I5. But this part 20 is primarily added surface, as it were, the same being coated with radium r luminous paint. Due to the area of this triangular element in relation to the fineness of the other parts, it functions as an aid in spotting the sight. Its vertex or point is in radial alignment with, and therefore points to, the focal hub or sight per se. As stated, however, this is an incidental feature of the invention as the factors heretofore described are thought to be of greater importance.

A careful consideration of the foregoing description in conjunction with the invention as illustrated in the drawings will enable the reader to obtain a clear understanding and impression of the alleged features of merit and novelty sufiicient to clarify the construction of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Minor changes in shape, size, materials and rearrangement of parts may be resorted to in actual practice so long as no departure is made from the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. In a gun sight construction of the class described, a longitudinally elongated cylinder and a removable sight therein, said sight comprising an annulus, a concentric hub in a plane with said annulus and spokes joining the hub and annulus, said spokes being in radially aligned pairs and the cruciform positions being at degree angles to the perpendicular, so as to form open windows in top, bottom and side quarters of the ring, thereby leaving an unobstructed view along horizontal and vertical lines of the target, and a pointed, luminous lug at the top of said ring in the vertical sight plane of the gun.

2. In a gun sight device of the class described, a cylindrical hood having means for mounting on the front end of a gun barrel, said hood being formed on its interior with a smooth bore at one end and with an abutment shoulder and having a female screw threaded portion at its other end with a longitudinal groove on the inside of the hood along the vertical plane of the sight axis, a threaded bushing fitting the threaded portion of the hood, an insert ring fitting said hood and having a key fitting said groove to prevent its turning between the shoulder and the bushing and clamped in place against said shoulder by the bushing, said insert ring having a central hub portion constituting a peep sight, four radial spokes connecting the hub and ring portions so as to form open windows in top, bottom and side quarters of the ring, a pointed lug on said ring located exactly vertically opposite said key in the top window thereby leaving an unobstructed view along horizontal and vertical lines of the target and said lug being luminous.

BARTON L. GORMAN. 

